Unwrapping mechanism for yarn-chains.



No. 732,439. PATENTBD JUNE 30,1903.

$.PBAR0E. UNWRAPPING MECHANISM FOR YARN CHAINS.

- APPLICATION FILED APR.14, 190s. no 1101121.. I 2 sums-SHEET 1.

No.732,'439. PATENTED JUNE30,1903.

S.PEARGE.

UNWRAPPIIIG MECHANISM FOR YARN CHAINS. APPLICATION FILED APB. 14,1903. no MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

fiveni'of. W 620 e2 2% Tee,

/ZB 5 M MW UNITED STATES Patented June 30, 1903.

PATENT OFFICE.

SAMUEL PEARCE, OF HOLYQKE, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO DRAPER COMPANY, OF HOPEDALE, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

UNWRAPPING MECHANISM FOR YARN-CHAINS.

I SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 732,439, dated June 30, 1903 Application filed April 14, 1903. Serial No- 152,57l. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL PEARCE, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Holyoke, county of Ham pden, State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Unwrapping Mechanism for Yarn-Chains, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like characters on the drawings representing like parts.

The advantages of wrapping or coiling an extra thread or cord around a chain of yarnthreads preparatory to the process of dyeing or bleaching are well known, and yarn-chains are very generally so prepared at the present time. After the wrapped chains have been bleached or colored and dried the thread or cord coiled around the chain must be unwrapped or removed before the chains are rewound either onto beams for warp-yarns or onto filling bobbins or quills if the yarn is to be used for filling. Apparatus has been devised to readily and economically remove the wrapping-cord from the chain and wind it upon a suitable receiver in condition for further use, eitherfor wrapping around another chain or for other purposes, and United States Patents Nos. 550,656 and 550,657, dated December 3, 1895, show very successful apparatus of this character. In the former patent the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the flier which unwraps the cord is varied at the will of the operator by varying the chain speed, and in the later patent such ratio is varied by changing the speed of rotation of the flier, the chain speed remaining constant.

Ihave shown my present invention as practically embodied in an apparatus of the latter type, though its use is not restricted.

thereto. I

As set forth in the patents referred to the angle at which the cord leaves the chain during unwrapping must be obtuse enough to re-' dues to a minimum the liability of the cord to cling to the chain. This is effected mainly creased rotary speed tends to lower the point, while. decreased linear or increased rotary speed tends to raise it. Could these speeds be exactly proportioned to the rate at which the cord is coiled around the chain and could this rate as well as these speeds be continuously maintained, the point at which the cord leaves the chain would not Vary. In practice this is not possible, and the point is constantly rising and falling, and if it rises too high the cord is broken at the guide above the machine, while if the point falls too low the cord will be broken by engagement with some partof the unwrapping means.

.In the patents above mentioned means are provided whereby the operator can vary the ratio between the chain speed and the speed of the unwrapping means, so' that the position of the point at which thecord leaves the chain is under the control of the operator, a reasonable variation being provided for, so that continual watching by the attendant is not absolutely necessary. A stop-motion device is also provided to stop automatically the machine when the cord breaks or slackens I'unduly.

My present inventionhas for its object the production of means for automatically controlling the ratio between the chain speed and the fiier speed, so that not only can the operator attend to a greater number of unwrapping-machines, but each machine can be run more continuously than has been possible heretofore, and whether by natural or artificial light. The latteris an import-ant point, inasmuch as with artificial light and with some colors in daylight the attendant has heretofore been obliged to assist'his eyesight by feeling with his hand the cord to judge of the position of the point of departure thereof from the chain.

In the present embodiment of my invention the substantially highest practical ratio between the linear speed of the chain. and the rotaryspeed of the unwrapping means is adopted as the normal ratio, and the machine is adjusted to run at such rate. If then the unwrapping gains unduly upon the chain speed, thereby raising the point of departure of the cord dangerously near the overhead guide,simple and elIective means are brought ICO into action automatically to quickly decrease the speed ratio to a point below the normal rate, and the point of departure falls suddenly. Thereupon the speed ratio is gradually and automatically raised until the normal rate is restored, and the automatic means will be reset or returned to its normal inoperative condition in readiness to again act as before when occasion demands. The speed ratio is governed automatically and directly by or through the cord as it is unwrapped without requiring any attention or assistance upon the part of the attendant. By adopting a normal speed ratio as high as practical there is practically no danger of the point of departure of the cord falling too low, and the stop-motion is called into play only by breakage of the cord, which is of comparatively infrequent occurrence.

The various novel features of my invention will be described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the following claims.

Figure 1 is a side elevation,broken out between the overhead guide and the lower part of the apparatus, of a machine for unwrapping yarn-chains embodying one form of my invention, the means for changing the speed ratio being shown in normal or inactive condition. Fig. 2 is an enlarged partial elevation and section on the irregular line 2 2, Fig. 1, looking toward the right to show more clearly the belt-shifter and the automatic means for moving it. 'Fig. 3 is a greatly-enlarged detail, in side elevation, of the locking device which retalnsin inactive condition the means for changing the speed ratio. Fig. 4 is a rear elevation thereof viewed from the right, Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view on the line 5 5, Fig. 4, looking down; and Fig. 6 is a right-hand end elevation of the mechanism shown at the upper part of Fig. 2, the belt-forks being shown.

The main frame A, the main driving-shaft B, provided in practice with fast and loose pulleys connected by a belt B Fig. 1, with a suitable source of power, and rolls B and B (shown in dotted lines Fig. 1) may be and are substantially as in said PatentNo. 550,657, the roll B being fast on the shaft B and roll 13 is mounted in suitable stands. (I-Ierein omittedtorenderthedrawingclearer.) Herein the shaft 1-3 is extended beyond the frame A and has secured to it a cone-pulley 0, (shown in dotted lines, Fig. 2) connected by a shiftable belt C with and to drive a reverse cone C, fast on a worm-shaft 0 mounted in bearings (not shown) on the frame. As the speed of shaft B is constant, shifting of the belt (1* to the right, Fig. 2, will decrease the speed of the shaft 0 and its speed will be increased if the belt is shifted to the left. The yarnchain is led between the rolls B B" after the cord has been unwrapped from the chain, and the latter is drawn through the apparatus at substantially uniform speed by rotation of said rolls. As in the patent referred to, a

bevel-gear c on shaft C drives a smaller tomatically the machine.

bevel-gear d, having its hollow hub supported in' the frame A, attached at its upper end to a flier F, the rotative speed of the latter depending on the position of the belt O upon the speed-cones O and C. A worm e on shaft 0'' engages a worm-wheel e on an upright shaft e mounted in bearings e said shaft having fast upon it near its lower end a sleeve 6 provided at its upper and lower ends, respectively, with worms e and the former meshing with a worm-wheel c on a cam-shaft D, mounted on the main frame and having an attached traverse-cam D all substantially as in the patent last referred to, save that the sleeve 6 and lower worm e are novel features. The hub of the gear (1 has extended loosely through it a hollow spindle g, Fig. 1, provided with a roll g''', which rests upon the periphery of the traverse-cam D rotation of the latter vertically reciprocating the spindle and giving it a traverse motion in accordance with the shape of the cam, the spindle being guided in any suitable manner. A spool or cord-receiver S is slipped over the upper end of the traverse-spindle g, which projects slightly above the flier F, and the upper end of the cord-receiver, the latter resting on a washer 10, held in place by a collar g fast on the spindle, as in Patent No. 550,057.

The wrapped yarn-chain L, Fig.1, is drawn over a guide-sheave G located above and at a considerable distance from the top of the traverse-spindle, the chain entering the latter after the cord L has been unwrapped therefrom, the unwrapped chain passing out of the lower end of the spindle g and around a guide-sheave G and thence up through the rolls B B in the direction of the arrow 50. It will be manifest that the rotation of the flier unwraps the cord from the yarn-chain and winds it upon the cord-receiver S, the traverse motion laying the cord smoothly upon the receiver from end to end as it is wound thereupon. The flier is provided with guideeyes f and f through which the cord passes to the spool, and between said guide-eyes the cord leads through the eye f of the latch f pivotally mounted on the flier and forming part of a stop-motion, which latter may be of the character shown in Patent No. 550,657. As the stop-motion is common and forms no part of my present invention, I have not illustrated it in detail herein, it being only necessary to state that if the cord breaks the latchf is released and the stop-motion acts to stop an- The means whereby the ratio between the linear chain speed and the rotative speed of the flier is changed automatically will not be described. A stand A is bolted to the main frame and projects outwardly therefrom between the speedchanging cones C and C, said stand having upturned parallel ears a a, which form bearings for an actuator for the belt-shifter, said actuator being shown in Fig. 2 as a quickmotion screw 0.", sleeved upon and secured to a shaft a between the cars a. A nut a ion slotf in the base of the fork and into the nut to secure the fork to the nut, and, as will be seen by reference to Fig. 2, the fork can be adjusted upon the nut transversely to the belt-path. The shaft 0, is rotatably mounted in the ears ct a, and its ends extend beyond the ears, drums A and A being secured to such projecting ends for a purpose to be described.

Referring now to the lower parts of Figs. 1 and 2, a bracket B secured to'the main frame A, has bearings b for a rotatable shaft b provided at one end with a worm-gear b, in mesh with the worm e on the shaft 6 so that the shaft b is continuously rotated. Between the -bearings 11 a large gear I) is secured to shaft b this gear at times meshing with and rotating a mutilated pinion b on a short shaft 12 carriedby a bracket b secured to the main frame, Fig. 1. The pinion b has teeth 19 on one-half of its circumference, as shown in full lines, Fig. 2, and when those a revolution. A radius-arm b is secured to the face of the pinion by screws b the lat ter passing through longitudinal slots 10 in the arm, so that the latter can be adjusted to vary the radial path of a stud b on the longer end of the arm. A wire link b is pivotally connected at one end with the stud, and at its other end it is attached to achain, flexible wire, or other flexible member I), which is carried up to and wound around the drum A and secured thereto. When by means to be described the drum is rotated in the direction of arrow 75, Fig. 6, the flexible member will be Wound upon the drum, and through the radius-arm b the pinion b will be tu rnedin the direction of arrow 80, Fig. 2, into dottedline position, thereby bringing the leading I tooth of the series 11 into engagement with the gear 6. This gear is continuously rotating, it will be remembered, so that when it thus engages the pinion-teeth it will rotate the pinion positively and slowly in the direction of arrow until the radius-arm has returned to full-line position. movement of the radius-arm the member 19* will be unwound and the drum and actuator a will rotate opposite to arrow 75, Fig. 6, and

During such' to the ceiling of the room in which the apparatus is set up, the lowerend of the bar being supported bya foot a ,bolted to the extremity of the bracket A A collar m, secured to the bar nearits upper end, has attached to it one end of a strong spiral spring S Figs. 1 and 3, the lower end of the spring being connected with an elongated flat metallic slide-bar m, longitudinally movable in guide-ears 'm projecting laterally from a sleeve N, firmlysecuredtothebarMbyaset-screwn. Thelower end of the slide-barhas secured to it one end of a flexible connection m which is carried down to and wound upon the drum A oppositely to the winding of the connection 1) upon the drum A A locking-notch m is made in the inner edge of theslide-bar near its upper end, the lower lateral edge m of the notch being adapted to engage a latch 19 when the apparatus is running properly, the spring S at such time being stretched and holding the slide-bar in cooperative engagement with the latch or locked. The latch is shown as the short arm of a flat lever having a fulcrumpin 13 passed through and secured to it, the long arm 19 of the lever being twisted at its extremity substantially at right angles to the body of the lever, as at 19 The ends of the fulcrum-pin are preferably pointed, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, and one end rests in a socket n in the upper face of the lower ear n while the other end of the pin enters a socket in the end of a screw 01 passing through the up per ear, the screw being out of alinement with the socket n in order that the pin p will be out of the vertical, as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The inclination of the pin is such that the weight of the longer arm of the latch-lever tends to turn the lever and bring the latch 19 into engagement with the slide-bar m, and at such time it thenotch m is opposite the latch the latter will enter it and lock the slide-bar.

Referring to Fig. 1,it will be seen that when in normal position the blade 13 extends past the side of the sleeve N toward the path of the unwrapped chain between the guidesheave G and the flier. By means of the setscrew 92 the sleeve N is adjusted vertically on its support M at such a height that normally the blade 19 will nottouch theconical path traversed by the cord L between its point of departure from the chain and the flier, and at such time the belt-shifter and the parts are, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, in the normal position when the machineis running properly. The flexible connection m is wound upon the drum A, the slide-bar m is locked, with the spring S extended, and the connection 19 is unwound from the drum A", the belt O being in position to give the highest ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotative speed of the flier. Now if the unwrapping gains unduly upon the chain speed the point of departure of the cord from the chain will rise, and thereby the cord in whirling around will hit the blade p and turn the latch-lever on its fulcrumpin, withdrawing the latch 19 from the slidebar m. Just as soon as the latteris thus released the spring S contracts, lifting the slide-bar quickly, and through it the connection M is unwound from and rotates the drum A turning shaft a, and the screwlike actuator 0t in the direction of the arrow 75, Fig. 6. Such rotation of the actuator quickly slides the nut a to the right, Fig.2, shifting the belt to quickly decrease the ratio between the linear chain speed and the rotative speed of the flier, and the point of departure of the cord falls. At the same time the drum A winds up the connection I), bringing the pinion 1) into mesh with the gear I), as has been described, and as the pinion is positively and slowly rotated the connection I) will unwind from its drum, reversing the rotation of the actuator a and gradually returning the belt to the normal speed position. By the reverse rotation of the actuator and drums the connection m is wound upon its drum, drawingdown the slidebar m until the latch 19 swings into the locking-notch m and just after this is eifected the toothless part of the pinion 5 comes opposite the gear I) and rotation of the pinion stops. Thus the controlling mechanism is set automatically after each operation thereof to shift the belt, and whenever the point of departure of the cord rises to an improper height the belt will be shifted to quickly decrease the speed ratio, and thereafter the return shifting of the belt is effected to restore the normal speed ratio gradually and automatically. By adjusting the belt-forks f on the nut the normal position of the belt can be regulated with relation to the speedcones G and O. The blade 19 provides a broad surface upon which the cord impinges and obviates any tendency to break the latter, and even if the controlling mechanism should not be unlocked at the first impact of the cord upon the blade a second or third impact willbe sufficient to effect unlocking. As the speed is reduced very quickly, the point of departure of the cord drops rapidly, and though the cord may engage the wing after the latch is withdrawn no harm is done. By the time the controlling mechanism is set, as described, the conical path of the cord is entirely outof range of the blade of the latchlever.

' My invention is not restricted to the precise construction and arrangement herein shown and described, as the same may be varied or rearranged in various particulars without departing from the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In apparatus for unwrappingyarn-chains, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, and means to vary automatically and positively the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the unwrapping means.

2. In apparatus for unwrappin gyarn-chains, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, and means operating automatically when the unwrapping gains unduly upon the chain speed, to decrease and thereafter to restore positively the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the unwrapping means.

3. In apparatus for unwrapping yarn-chains, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, means operating automatically to instantly decrease the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the unwrapping means, and mechanism to thereafter restore automatically and gradually the normal ratio.

4. In apparatus for unwrapping yarn-chains, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, means actuated by the cord to decrease positively and automatically the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the unwrapping means when unwrapping gains unduly, and normally inoperative mechanism operated thereafter automatically to restore gradually the normal ratio.

5. In apparatusforunwrappingyarn-chains, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, means to de crease positively and automatically the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotary speed of the unwrapping means, and

a locking device to maintain said means ingains unduly upon the chain speed, and a positively-rotated flier to wind the unwrapped cord upon the receiver.

7. In apparatus for unwrapping yarn-chains, a cord receiver through which the chain passes as unwrapped, a positively-actuated flier to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, variable speed mechanism to change the ratio between the linear speed of the chain and the rotative speed of the flier, and means to control automatically said mechanism and decrease the speed ratio when the unwrapping gains unduly upon the chain speed.

8. In apparatus for unwrapping yarn-chains, a cord -receiver through which the chain passes as unwrapped, mechanism to draw the chain therethrough, means to unwrap the cord from the chain and wind it upon the receiver, variable-speed mechanism to operate the chain-drawing mechanism and unwrapping means at a predetermined speed ratio, and a controlling device for said variablespeed mechanism, to decrease automatically and positively the speed ratio to a definite point when the unwrapping gains unduly upon the chain speed.

9. In apparatus for unwrapping yarn-chains, a cord receiver through which the chain passes as unwrapped, mechanism to draw the chain therethrough, means to unwrap the cord from the chain and wind it upon the receiver, mechanism, including a speed-changing device, to operate the chain drawing and unwrapping means, and controlling means for the speed-changing device, to quickly reduce the relative speed of the unwrapping means'upon undue gain of said means upon the chain speed and thereafter to gradually accelerate the relative speed of the unwrapping means, such decrease and increase being effected through the speed-changing device.

10. In apparatus for unwrapping yarnchains, a cord-receiver, mechanism to move the chain longitudinally, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, and mechanism independent of the unwrapping means and actuated by the cord to vary automatically the speed ofsuch means.

'11. In apparatus for unwrapping yarnchains, a cord-receiver, mechanism to move the chain longitudinally, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, and mechanism independent of the unwrapping means to decrease automatically the speed thereof relative to the chain speed upon un- 1due'gain of the unwrapping thereover and to thereafter gradually restore .the normal speed relation between the chain and the unwrapping means.

12. In apparatus for unwrapping yarnchains, a cord-receiver, mechanism to move the chain longitudinally,means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, and mechanism independent of the unwrapping means to reduce automatically and temporarily the speed thereof when the unwrapping of the cord gains unduly-upon the linear speed of the chain.

13. In apparatus for unwrapping yarnchains, a cord-receiver, mechanism to move the chain longitudinally, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, mechanism, including speed-changing cones and a connecting-belt, to actuate the chainm'oving mechanism and the unwrapping means, and means to shift automatically the belt and decrease temporarily the speed of the unwrapping means relatively to the linear speed of the chain when the unwrapping of the cord gains unduly.

14:. In apparatus for unwrapping yarnchains, a cord-receiver, mechanism to move the chain longitudinally, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, mechanism, including speed-changing cones and a connecting-belt, to actuate the chain-moving mechanism and the unwrapping means, a spring-actuated device to shift automatically the belt and decrease the speed of the unwrapping means when the unwrapping of the cord gains unduly upon the linear speed of the chain, and means to thereafter shift positively and gradually the belt and restore the speed of the unwrapping means.

15. In apparatus of the class described, means to move the chain longitudinally, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, actuating mechanism for both of said means, including speedchanging cones and a con necting-belt, a beltshifter, a rotatable actuator therefor, means operative by or through the cord as it unwraps to turn the actuator to shift the belt and decrease the relative speed of the unwrapping means, and a positively-driven slow-motion device to thereafter oppositely rotate the actuator and thereby gradually shift the belt to restore the relative speed of the unwrapping means.

16. In apparatus of the class described, means to move the chain longitudinally, at a constant speed, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and to wind it upon the receiver, variable-speed mechanism to actuate said means, a guide located above and at a distance from the unwrapping mechanism to permit variation in the point of departure of the cord as unwrapped from the chain, automatically-operating means to at times act through the variable-speed mechanism and reduce quickly the speed of the unwrapping means, and a locking device to normally re- .tain such automatic means inoperative, ab-

normal rise of the point of departure of the cord causing the latter to act upon the lockin g device and release the said automaticallyoperating means.

17. In apparatus of the class described, means to move the chain longitudinally, a cord-receiver, means to unwrap the cord and wind it upon the receiver, actuating mechanism for both ofsaid means,including speedchanging cones and a connecting-belt,abeltshifter, a spring to move it to decrease speed, a positively-actuated device to move it gradually in the opposite direction to restore the speed and also to set the spring, and a lock- IIO ing device, including'a pivotally-mounted.

name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

SAMUEL PEARCE.

Witnesses JONATHAN TOPHAM, JOSEPH J UDSON. 

